I felt the need to speak up in response to a recent letter to the editor titled, “Science and Rep. Scott Perry.” Firstly, the letter writer suggests that Rep. Perry held his recent town meeting in Brogue because he’s somehow avoiding “urban liberals.” I know for a fact that Rep. Perry has held town halls in Harrisburg and York City and all over the 4th District. Every community has the right to meet with their congressman. Not to mention, Congressman Perry represents all the people in his community regardless of their party affiliation.

The letter criticizes Rep. Perry because he “wants proof that humans cause today’s spectacularly rapid climate change.” It appears that the writer is missing the point of Congressman Perry’s request. The writer suggests that the “science is settled,” and Congressman Perry should abandon his desire for evidence of manmade climate change.

I think two points are important. Congressman Perry is asking to see evidence of the climate change before he will agree to support policies that will raise taxes and potentially destroy jobs. Many of the economic problems we have today are a result of over-regulation of every single industry. It should be noted that headlines in The New York Times at the turn of the century warned about global cooling and expressed desperate need for industrial regulations. The tactics used are not new.

The second point is that the science is not really settled. Science continues to evolve. For example, the settled theory of the big bang has come into question.

What is settled is that the climate does change. The question is whether or not man is affecting that change and whether or not regulations on the American people can have an impact. If we are talking about facts, there has been no average increase in surface temperature over the last 18 years. Satellite data shows no significant change. In 2005, the United Nations warned that by 2010 there would be “climate refugees” due to rapidly rising sea levels. In 2000, the lead climate expert in the UK warned that in a few years, snow would be a story you told your children.

The science is not settled, and I appreciate Congressman Perry’s willingness to be skeptical and willingness to stand up against big government regulations.